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<P class=TITLE>Marks & Spencer extends RFID tagging nationwide <!-- END TRS STORY TITLE --><!-- TRS TITLE STRAP LINE --><BR><SPAN
class=titleTAG>Item-level tags to be used in 120 stores by next year</SPAN> <!-- END TRS TITLE STRAP LINE --></P>
<P>By Andy McCue</P>
<P>Published: Tuesday 14 November 2006</P>
<P align=left>Marks & Spencer (M&S) is to extend the item-level radio
frequency ID (RFID) tagging of clothing items following <A
href="http://software.silicon.com/security/0,39024655,39118147,00.htm"><STRONG>successful
trials in 42 stores</STRONG></A>.</P>
<P align=left>M&S has been one of the early UK pioneers in using RFID tags
in the retail sector and first <A
href="http://www.silicon.com/management/smedirector/0,39024679,10006439,00.htm"><STRONG>trialled
the tracking technology on a selection of men's clothing</STRONG></A> in its
High Wycombe store in 2003.</P>
<P align=left>The RFID tags are contained in throwaway paper labels attached to,
but not embedded in, a variety of men's and women's clothing items in stores.
M&S uses mobile scanners to scan garment tags on the shop floor, and portals
at distribution centres and the loading bays of stores allow rails of hanging
garments to be pushed through and read at speed.</P>
<P align=left></P>
<P align=left>A spokeswoman for M&S told silicon.com that item-level RFID
tagging of certain ranges of clothing will now be rolled out to a further 80
stores in the spring of 2007.</P>
<P align=left>"We are tagging a variety of complex sizing items such as men's
suits and women's trousers and skirts. Anything where you can have a wide
variety of clothing sizes," she said.</P>
<P align=left>M&S is also looking at extending RFID tagging to other
clothing departments from the autumn of next year, she added.</P>
<P align=left>The retailer is aiming to use RFID tags to help achieve its goal
of 100 per cent stock accuracy by ensuring the right goods and sizes are in the
right stores to meet demand.</P>
<P align=left>James Stafford, head of clothing RFID at M&S, said at the
company's interim financial results presentation last week: "Our clothing RFID
work is a good example of how we are using new technology for increased business
efficiency and customer service. Stock accuracy has improved and the customers
have commented on the more consistent availability of
sizes."</P></DIV></BODY></HTML>